BigDave95
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In the final week before the draft, scouts, GMs and coaches meet to debate (argue?) the players and set their team's final draft board. And as personnel people break out of those meetings, word spreads about prospects and anticipated trades and picks. Here is some of what we're hearing:
**Texas quarterback Vince Young now seems to be a solid top-five pick. The Raiders, who sit at No. 7, are exploring ways to trade up and get Young.
As we mentioned last week, Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow apparently is losing the quarterback debate in Tennessee. Chow prefers Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart, but rumor has it that the Titans instead will take Young at No. 3.
**Outside linebackers are taking a hit, as expected. Now that it appears as if N.C. State's Manny Lawson and Florida State's Kamerion Wimbley can make the transition from college defensive end to NFL outside linebacker, players such as Iowa's Chad Greenway, Alabama's DeMeco Ryans and UTEP's Thomas Howard are sliding down teams' draft boards.
Greenway, Ryans and Howard are complete players but lack the pass-rush ability of Lawson and Wimbley, a key in the 3-4 scheme that is being used more and more by NFL teams. Look for Lawson and Wimbley to both go in the top 15, bumping Greenway and Ryans to the bottom of Round 1. Howard could slide into the middle of Round 2.
**Two players who seem to have secured top-10 positions are Florida State defensive tackle Broderick Bunkley and Southern California offensive tackle Winston Justice. Both tested extremely well on the pre-draft circuit and have great athletic ability. Most teams project Buffalo to take Bunkley at No. 8, and Justice could fit nicely with Arizona at No. 10 but certainly won't fall past Baltimore at No. 13.
**Several defensive backs are moving into the first round. Florida State cornerback Antonio Cromartie had to prove he could play after missing the '05 season with a knee injury. His 4.37-second 40-yard dash and his strong performance in position drills seem to have done that. He now is entrenched in the top 20 and could be selected as high as No. 15 (Denver).
**South Carolina cornerback Jonathan Joseph quietly has been moving up the board and now looks to be a solid first-round selection. The Dolphins, Chargers, Chiefs and Bears all could take a cornerback in the first round.
**Two versatile defensive backs -- Ohio State's Donte Whitner and Tennessee's Jason Allen -- have moved into the first round, too. Whitner can play cornerback or either safety spot and excels in run support.
Allen, who can play cornerback or free safety, is coming off a hip injury but showed in pre-draft workouts that he still has blazing speed. We expect a run on safeties at the top of Round 2, but Whitner and Allen both could be gone by then. Pittsburgh, at No. 32, certainly would look hard if Whitner and/or Allen is/are available at the end of Round 1.
**Finally, it appears as if Southern California running back LenDale White's best move has been to lay low and keep quiet. After putting off workouts and then performing poorly, all indications were that White clearly had dropped out of the first round. However, many teams are desperate for a big, tough between-the-tackles runner and there are few to be had in this draft. The result? White probably is back in the first-round picture and could be drafted in the 20s.
**Texas quarterback Vince Young now seems to be a solid top-five pick. The Raiders, who sit at No. 7, are exploring ways to trade up and get Young.
As we mentioned last week, Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow apparently is losing the quarterback debate in Tennessee. Chow prefers Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart, but rumor has it that the Titans instead will take Young at No. 3.
**Outside linebackers are taking a hit, as expected. Now that it appears as if N.C. State's Manny Lawson and Florida State's Kamerion Wimbley can make the transition from college defensive end to NFL outside linebacker, players such as Iowa's Chad Greenway, Alabama's DeMeco Ryans and UTEP's Thomas Howard are sliding down teams' draft boards.
Greenway, Ryans and Howard are complete players but lack the pass-rush ability of Lawson and Wimbley, a key in the 3-4 scheme that is being used more and more by NFL teams. Look for Lawson and Wimbley to both go in the top 15, bumping Greenway and Ryans to the bottom of Round 1. Howard could slide into the middle of Round 2.
**Two players who seem to have secured top-10 positions are Florida State defensive tackle Broderick Bunkley and Southern California offensive tackle Winston Justice. Both tested extremely well on the pre-draft circuit and have great athletic ability. Most teams project Buffalo to take Bunkley at No. 8, and Justice could fit nicely with Arizona at No. 10 but certainly won't fall past Baltimore at No. 13.
**Several defensive backs are moving into the first round. Florida State cornerback Antonio Cromartie had to prove he could play after missing the '05 season with a knee injury. His 4.37-second 40-yard dash and his strong performance in position drills seem to have done that. He now is entrenched in the top 20 and could be selected as high as No. 15 (Denver).
**South Carolina cornerback Jonathan Joseph quietly has been moving up the board and now looks to be a solid first-round selection. The Dolphins, Chargers, Chiefs and Bears all could take a cornerback in the first round.
**Two versatile defensive backs -- Ohio State's Donte Whitner and Tennessee's Jason Allen -- have moved into the first round, too. Whitner can play cornerback or either safety spot and excels in run support.
Allen, who can play cornerback or free safety, is coming off a hip injury but showed in pre-draft workouts that he still has blazing speed. We expect a run on safeties at the top of Round 2, but Whitner and Allen both could be gone by then. Pittsburgh, at No. 32, certainly would look hard if Whitner and/or Allen is/are available at the end of Round 1.
**Finally, it appears as if Southern California running back LenDale White's best move has been to lay low and keep quiet. After putting off workouts and then performing poorly, all indications were that White clearly had dropped out of the first round. However, many teams are desperate for a big, tough between-the-tackles runner and there are few to be had in this draft. The result? White probably is back in the first-round picture and could be drafted in the 20s.
